Skidding 49ers might be without Brock Purdy for Bengals’ visit
The San Francisco 49ers, who captured the first five games of the season to extend their franchise-record, regular-season winning streak to 15, are suddenly riding a two-game skid as they face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers (5-2) are coming off a 22-17 road loss against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. The offense was again led by running back Christian McCaffrey, who totaled 96 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. San Francisco was without starting left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder), both of whom remained sidelined for practice on Wednesday.
Despite playing through an oblique injury, McCaffrey has scored 11 TDs in 2023, tied for the NFL lead with the Miami Dolphins’ Raheem Mostert. With one touchdown on Sunday, McCaffrey would match the all-time NFL record for consecutive games with a touchdown at 17 games (regular season and postseason combined). Lenny Moore set the mark with the Baltimore Colts in 1963 and ’64.
Even though he scored twice on Monday, McCaffery took responsibility for contributing to San Francisco’s loss due to a first-quarter fumble in the red zone. “Anytime you lose, it’s a bad feeling,” McCaffrey said. “I think we have a team that’s hypercritical of each individual. We can’t just let it trickle down. Got to take a good, hard look in the mirror. I know I’ll do that. I made a bad mistake that I believe cost us the game if I don’t fumble that ball. Put it on me. Go from there.”
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 272 yards and a touchdown but took a second straight loss after opening his career with 10 straight regular-season wins. However, he missed practice on Wednesday while in the NFL’s concussion protocol, putting in doubt his availability for Sunday. Sam Darnold would step in to make his first start for San Francisco if Purdy isn’t ready to face the Bengals. Darnold, 26, has a career 21-34 record as a starter for the New York Jets and the Carolina Panthers.
